Get a Clue: Figuring Out What is Open... [March 4, 2013, 8:36 p.m.]
Now that you have been introduced to the broad range of content that can be considered open, it is important to recognize the details that can help you navigate them. These clues and tools can help you determine whether some of that online content is, in fact, open, how you can use it, and if there are any restrictions.
1. Ways to spot open content
- Use this resource: Recognizing Licensed Works To spot key factors that can help you determine whether content is CC Licensed. Where else can you think of putting license information on a website or a blog? Add other recommendations in the comments below.
- Search for specific terms on the page. If you press Control + F you can type in terms to search for. Look for "Creative Commons", "Copyright", "Open" etc. to locate information that might help you here.
- Search websites for a terms of use link or page. This can generally be found at the bottom of the page or near a copyright statement.
2. Determine whether the resource is open
Look at three or more of the sources below and determine where on the spectrum of open vs. non-open they sit.
Now that you have explored a few resources and have a better sense of identifying open and non-open content, here is a series of case studies conducted by Creative Commons on licensed websites and projects. Explore this broad range of studies on open content.
Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia
African Sleeping Sickness Test
University of Michigan Library
Share and Discuss!
Now that you have been given tools to help you determine open vs. non open content and you looked at a variety of sources and topics that ranged on the spectrum of open and non open, share your thoughts with others in a blog post, social media, or in person.
Who should you ask? Anyone. If you're a librarian, ask your fellow librarians. If you're a student ask your teachers or peers. If you're a teacher, as your students! There are no limits, but let us know who you asked and what they said.
Once you have initiated a discussion or shared some new interesting facts you have learned with others, share the link to your post and/or reflections here.
Were others surprised by an interesting fact? Curious to learn more about what you shared with them?